Messages - slightlystoopid

Really, you think so? Chicago only graduates about 190 students a year and about 70% of those go on to biglaw. Undoubtedly many of that 70% ends up at Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin and other big time firms but if I had to get I'd say about half probably head to NYC. Michigan has great COA placement and I have many reasons why Michigan is in my top two choices. I just think that if I pull the trigger to RD now on Chicago I'll end up being auto-rejected. I don't want that when HLS is only a pipe dream at the moment and Michigan is far from a sure thing. Ughhhh.... this process is annoying. Well, my GPA is really the annoying thing about it all. Happy Thanksgiving.

It really shouldn't be an issue but just go online and pay $40 or so dollars and do a criminal background check on yourself. All the incidents should come up with dates, and convictions, and sentences included. Put this stuff in an addendum and then be done with it. If it was 10+ years ago I think adcomms will just glance over it.

The academic tilt appeals to me, small class size, stellar faculty, and excellent clerkship and biglaw placement. I plan to practice in Chicago post-grad so that's another plus. Also, my ideal career trajectory would be 2yrs in a COA clerkship -> ~10yrs in big law -> USAOs/prestigious public interest work/academia -> statewide/nat'l politics. Chicago would be great for all of these things.

However, I would obviously drop Chicago in a heart beat for HLS. I emailed the HLS BLSA last night looking for their advice but they probably won't get back to me until next week at the earliest.

What were your numbers A., if you don't mind sharing. There are very people who are well-versed on the subject of URM admissions so I appreciate your candor and advice.

Most people I've talked to think I'm a lock for Chicago ED so if it's likely that I'll at least get a phone interview from Harvard then I'm going to switch my Chicago app from ED to RD. If it's more unlikely then I'll leave everything as is. Personally, I think I'll be deferred from ED and then later accepted but I honestly have no firm grasp because my numbers are so unique for an AA male so there isn't much data I can analyze. I've gotten a lot of positive advice from fellow applicants and those who seem to be in the know and they all believe I have a shot at HLS.